Many players think that improving their strokes is the key to winning more matches. But the truth is, your decision-making and shot selection matter more than how “good” your shots look.
The biggest mistake junior, high school, and college tennis players make is failing to play OPTIMAL tennis. Instead of choosing the right shot for the situation, they rely on aggressive vs. passive thinking, hit shots based on habit rather than strategy, and fail to adjust to key match variables.
If you want to win more matches, you need to train yourself to make better decisions, not just hit better shots. Let’s break down how to shift your mindset and start playing optimal tennis today.
Forget Aggressive vs. Passive—Play Optimal Tennis Instead
Many players think of tennis in terms of two main playing styles:
- Aggressive players hit big, go for winners, and attack early.
- Passive (“pushers”) players play high-percentage, safe shots and wait for mistakes.
But this way of thinking is flawed. There is no “aggressive” or “passive” play—there is only the optimal shot for the situation you’re in.
- If you get a short ball, the optimal play is to attack. That’s not “aggressive”—that’s just smart tennis.
- If you’re stretched out wide, the optimal play might be a defensive lob or a deep slice. That’s not “passive”—it’s just the right shot for the situation.
Takeaway: Stop labeling yourself as aggressive or passive. Instead, focus on reading the situation and making the best decision.
Next Step: So how do you know which shot is optimal? It depends on whether you’re in an offensive, defensive, or neutral situation.
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Play Offense When You’re on Offense, Defense When You’re on Defense
A huge mistake players make is playing the wrong type of shot for their position.
❌ Trying to rip a winner from behind the baseline (playing offense from a defensive position).
❌ Playing a safe shot on a short ball (playing defense from an offensive position).
The golden rule of optimal tennis:
✔️ When you’re on offense, play offense.
✔️ When you’re on defense, play defense.
✔️ When you’re neutral, make a decision based on your strengths.
Examples of Optimal Tennis:
- Offense: You get a short forehand → attack deep crosscourt or come to the net.
- Defense: You get pushed wide → hit a high, deep ball to recover.
- Neutral: You get a rally ball → make a decision based on your playing style (i.e. heavy topspin deep or an early, aggressive shot).
Takeaway: The worst mistake is trying to be offensive from a defensive position. The second worst is playing too safe when you have an opportunity.
Next Step: But what happens when external factors—weather, surface, your opponent—change what’s “optimal”?
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Adjust to Variables: Weather, Court Surface, and Opponent Tendencies
What’s optimal isn’t the same every match. You have to adapt based on conditions, the surface, and your opponent.
Weather Adjustments
- Wind: If the wind is behind you, aggressive shots carry deep, so use more spin and avoid drop shots. If the wind is in your face, the ball sits up, so drop shots become more effective.
- Heat: The ball bounces higher and travels faster, favoring aggressive baseline play.
- Cold: The ball skids lower, favoring slices and net play.
Surface Adjustments
- Clay: Drop shots are more effective, heavy topspin is king, and longer rallies are common.
- Hard Court: Low slices are great, and fast first-strike tennis is rewarded.
- Indoor/Fast Courts: Approaching the net is a must—defensive baseline play is much harder.
Opponent Adjustments
- If they struggle moving forward, use drop shots more.
- If they love pace, mix in high, heavy balls.
- If they rely on rhythm, give them varied shot speeds and depths.
Takeaway: Your best shot selection can change based on external factors. The key is knowing when to adjust.
Next Step: But there’s one more variable that most players never consider when making shot decisions…
The Score Should Change Your Shot Selection
Most players treat every point the same. But great players know not every point has the same value.
For example, let’s say you’re up 5-2, 40-0 and get a short ball.
- You could hit a drop shot (your best shot), but you don’t need to show it yet.
- Instead, you hit a deep topspin approach. Your opponent sees that pattern.
- Later, when it’s 5-5 deuce, you hit the drop shot—and they’re caught off guard.
Smart players use “low-value” points to set up “high-value” points later.
Score-Based Strategy Example:
- 30-40 (break point)? Play your most consistent shot.
- 40-15 (you’re up)? Now’s the time to take a bigger risk.
- 5-5, deuce? Hit the shot your opponent hasn’t seen yet.
Takeaway: The smartest players think about the future—they don’t just hit the obvious shot.
Final Step: Now it’s time to train optimal decision-making.
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How to Train Smarter: Stop Just Hitting and Start Thinking
You can’t just hope to make better shot decisions in a match—you need to practice making decisions in training.
3 Ways to Train Optimal Tennis
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“Offense vs. Defense” Drill
- Rally with a partner and label each shot: offense, defense, or neutral.
- If you get a short ball and don’t attack? Restart the rally.
- If you try to rip a winner from behind the baseline? Restart the rally.
-
“Score-Based Shot Selection” Drill
- Play points where the score matters.
- If you’re up 40-15, try a riskier play.
- If it’s break point down, play high-percentage tennis.
- This helps you make smarter decisions under pressure.
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“Opponent Pattern Recognition” Exercise
- Play a match focusing on reading your opponent’s tendencies.
- What shot do they struggle with? What pattern are they expecting?
- Adjust mid-match and track the results.
Final Takeaway: Tennis is a thinking game. Stop just hitting and start choosing. The best players don’t hit the hardest—they hit the smartest.
Are You Playing Optimal Tennis?
Next time you step on the court, ask yourself:
✅ Am I making the right decision for my position?
✅ Am I adjusting to the conditions and my opponent?
✅ Am I using the score to set up future points?
If you start making better shot decisions, you’ll win more matches—without even improving your strokes.
